🎯 A role or purpose ⚙️ To work or serve 🔢 A process or rule 🎉 A formal event

to function

338 2.6

To work in a particular role or job

verb
/ˈfʌŋkʃən/

: funcionar

During this stage, an assessment is made of capacity to function within the community.
function effectively
function well
fully functioning

It changes the way you function and show up in the world.

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Examples

However, the school networks have to be open enough to function this way.

Academic text (2011)
This is a tool that functions in the following way.
So these two, I think function best for writing.
Yeah, like, how do you, how do you function as a young man?
Even with water being on it, you can still function just fine.
- I cannot function in these conditions.

The Producers (2005)
This means your vehicle will cease to function.

My Favorite Martian (1999)
It changes the way you function and show up in the world.

Jay Shetty Podcast
We don't know how to function outside of the Program.

Tin Soldier (2025)
In order to succeed in this job, you need to be able to function well under pressure.

Synonyms

to work

vsto function

∞ 1.0

To function correctly, as a machine or device

is more about fulfilling a particular role or purpose rather than only being effective

to go

vsto function

∞ 1.0

To start working or be able to work, especially a machine

is about performing a general role or purpose rather than only starting action

to run

vsto function

∞ 2.2

To make a machine or device work

is about performing a role itself rather than keeping something in action

to serve

vsto function

∞ 1.8

To be used for a specific purpose or to help achieve something

is about performing a role generally not only for one specific use

to operate

vsto function

618 2.8

To make a machine or system work as it should

is about performing a role itself rather than being caused to do so

to act

vsto function

331 1.0

Have an effect or work in a certain way

is about doing a role continuously or generally rather than doing it briefly

to act as

vsto function

223 2.6

Serve in the role of a person or thing

is broader and covers performing a general purpose beyond taking another role

Antonyms

to malfunction

46 4.2

To stop working correctly, as a machine or device

Compounds

bodily function

Specialized

14 2.4

A natural process in the body, like breathing or digestion

cognitive function

Specialized

9 4.1

The ability to think, remember, and understand

wave function

Specialized

5 6.5

A math rule that shows how a wave moves and its size

social function

Formal

5 3.5

A formal event where people meet for a special purpose

function call

Specialized

2 4.4

An instruction in a program that runs a small piece of code and then returns

control function

Specialized

1 6.1

A feature in a computer program that manages how data are recorded, processed and sent

exponential function

Specialized

1 6.8

A rule that gives a number by raising a fixed number to a variable's power

wave function

Specialized

1 8.0

A math rule in quantum physics that shows how likely a particle is to be in a certain place

linear function

Specialized

1 4.7

A rule that makes a straight line on a graph

mathematical function

Specialized

1 4.3

A rule that gives each item in one group exactly one item in another group

inverse function

Specialized

1 7.4

A function that reverses another function so you get the original number back

complex function

Specialized

1 8.5

A function that has two or more variables and shows complicated behavior

sentential function

Specialized

1 9.9

An expression with gaps that becomes a sentence when you fill them with words

characteristic function

Specialized

1 8.5

A graph that shows how a device's output changes when input voltage changes

function word

Specialized

1 1.0

A word that shows the grammar of a sentence, like and or the

trigonometric function

Specialized

1 6.8

A rule that gives numbers for angles using two side lengths in a right triangle, like sine or cosine

derived function

Specialized

1 7.5

A function that shows the slope of another function at each point

domain of a function

Specialized

1 7.0

All input values that give a valid output for a function

localization of function

Specialized

1 6.6

Certain parts of the brain or body do specific jobs

circular function

Specialized

1 7.9

A function like sine or cosine that gives the ratio of two sides in a right triangle for an angle

threshold function

Specialized

1 8.5

A function that gives 1 when an input is above a fixed number and 0 when not

metric function

Specialized

9.0

A function that gives the distance between two points in a space

range of a function

Specialized

7.4

All the possible values a rule gives when you put numbers in

onto function

Specialized

9.6

A rule that gives every possible output from some input

self-deletion function

Specialized

7.5

A feature that automatically removes files or messages after a set time

surjective function

Specialized

9.9

A rule that gives every output value at least one input value

single-valued function

Specialized

7.4

A rule that gives exactly one output for each input

How Well

to operate

618 2.8

to function

338 2.6

to break

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

function infinitive

functioned past

functioned past participle

functioning present participle

functions third person singular

Etymology

The verb function comes from the Latin verb fungi meaning 'to perform' or 'do', so to function is simply to 'work' or to do the job you are meant to do.